St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-06
GERMAN CATHOLICS.
A St. Paul Delegate Defies the
knights of Labor and the Irish.

Knights of Labor and the Irish.
CHICAGO, Sept. 5.-The first business
session of the German Roman Catholic
Central Union of America, was opened
this morning in st. Michael's hall with
prayer by Rev. DR.. William Tappert, of
Covington, KY, who is by long odds the
leading spirit of the gathering. There
about 800 delegates present, and all the
in the spacious gallery was Occu-
pied by the people who came to witness
the proceedings. President Spannhorst.
of Detroit, made an address of greeting
to the delegates. He claimed that the
attitude of the German Catholics toward
other nationalitieS has been misrepre-
sented and false reports circulated. In
his opinion the German Catholics recog-
nized no distinction of nationalities. No
national question ever came up in their
meetings. On the question at issue
German Catholics, the church alone
had authority to decide. He asked the
delegates to use no hard expressions
against other nationalities. The Ger
mans in America were obliged to pre-
serve the German language in their
schools. On account of that they had
been reproached with trying to Ger
MAMIE America. That charge was un-
just. The Germans were true followers
of the church and understood its teach-
ings. Charges of that kind should ba
treated with contempt. Mr.. Spannhorst
denied the truth of the report that he
ever said that they would insist upon the
German language in spite of the bishops.
He concluded by congratulating the Ger
man Catholics upon the growth of their
societies and advised that each beneyO-
lent society have fund to be used for
the relief of wOrkingmen in distress.
After the appointment of committees,
George Mitsch. of ST. Paul. introduceda
resolution of which the following is a
translation:
Whereas, The socalled knights of Labor
come forth from day to day with their talk
for the purpose OF helping the workingmen
to their rights by unrighteous means and
trampllng law and order under foot, and try
to destroy scriptural faith; therefore. be ii
hereby
Resolved, That we urge all Catholic work.
ing people TO keep away from said societies.
for, according to our experience, such compaa
ny is not advisable for Catholic working PEG.
pie for where prohibitionists, anarchists
and socialist assemble TO consult about the
welfare of mankind. there should not be-
found any German Catholic workingmen.l
In order to protect the good name of German
Catholic socities from injury. all societies
should be eXhorted not to receive in their
midst any knights of Labor, and such as are
already in there should be induced to leave
said order of the Knights OF Labor.
Mr.. Mitsch spoke in support of his
resolution. He claimed that the Knights
of Labor had a demoraliZing effect upon
the German wOrbingmen. He failed to
see any difference between the Knights
of labor and ''other socialist and prohi-
bitionist societies. He was sorry to
see that many Germans We're at present
members of an order, the leaders of
which had addressed petition
to congress against German i'm
migration. While Mr.. Powderly
hibitiOnist and enemy of the Germans.
The entire order of the Knights of
Labor waslgoverned by Irishmen. The
Germans ought to consider it disgrace
to be ruled by Irish ignoramuses. The
remarks were received with applause.
Friedrich Arendes, of st. Louis, moved
to lay the resolutions Oh the table, but
was voted down, all but two or three
delegates voting against. him. The
resolution was referred to the
committee on labor matters. DR.. Tap
pert submitted resolution requiring all
the societies in every city to meet every,
six months for the purpose of discuss
ing social questions and other matters
of Importance. The resolution was re-
ferred. Before recess thirty-two new
societies were admitted to the union.
At the opening of the afternoon session
dispatch was read in reply to one sent
last week to the Catholic con-
vention of Germany, now in
session at Trier. The reply
was signed by Count BalleStrel, chair
man of the convention, and reminded
the German-American Catholics that
oil hn into hnr
brethren in Germany were bound to
them by one common faith and conrad
ship i'll the battle of the Lord. Three
hearty cheers were given for the Catho-
lies of Germany. An interesting ''ques-
ton of principle" was raised
when report from society
of New Orleans was read which
was written in the English language. OBJ
lection was made to receiving it ON that
account, and DR.. Tappert again came
forward and moved that the secretary
be instructed to find out whether or not
the German language was employed as
not, and, if not, that the secretary
notify the society that the Central
union received no societies but such
as did employ the German lam
guage exclusively. All this was
to be done in spirit and tone of
brotherly love, but it must be insisted
upon, the reverend gentleman said, as
it was question of principle, and not
an inch could be yielded. He wanted
to have the matter settled at once, but
it was referred to the committee on con-
stitution. AS fitting conclusion to the
days proceedings, telegram was
ordered sent to Pope Leo congratulating
him upon his approaching jubilee and
asking his blessing